'Antourage' UCI's non-so-silent weapon

Tyler Kenney, 21, leads members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. Antourage is the UC Irvine student spirit group which faithfully cheers on the UC Irvine men's basketball team.KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

UC Irvine's men's basketball team has been tough to beat at home this year.

The support of the team's spirit group, the 'Antourage,' has helped give the Anteaters a home-court advantage in the 5,000-seat on-campus Bren Center.

The basketball team has won nine out of 10 home games, and the Anteaters are a perfect 6-0 in Big West Conference games at home. On the road the Anteaters are 4-12.

The coaches and players appreciate the support.

"The students have really taken an interest in generating energy for us and that's important," said Coach Russell Turner. "There couldn't be anything more important to a college basketball team than support like that in your home arena."

Students in the Antourage, led by UCI senior Tyler Kenney, come out to the games and yell for the Anteaters while trying to distract the opposing team. Down the stretch, it can make a difference when the hometown fans try to distract a free-throw shooter by jumping up and down and screaming in a close game. Kenney and some of his friends are the ones who lead the cheers in front of the group.

"Our mantra has been fan engagement," said Robby Ray, assistant athletic director, marketing and corporate relations. "We want them cheering in a positive way, and they do a great job. Tyler and his group have developed a strong support group."

UCI has had as many as 1,000 spirited student rooters for some of the games. Many of them are dressed in Antourage T-shirts which they earn by attending three games, Ray said.

As part of their ASB fees, the students get in free to conference home games with an ASB card.

The group used to be called the CIA – Completely Insane Anteaters.

But the name was changed to Antourage a couple of years ago, playing off the school's mascot and the HBO television show, the Entourage.

President of Antourage Tyler Kenney

Tyler Kenney, a senior at UC Irvine, is the president of the UCI Antourage, which provides school spirit for the basketball teams.

Q. What got you involved in the Antourage?

A. Last year and the year before I was the mascot. I’ve come out to sports events all my four years. I have plenty of friends who are in athletics, so they suggested that I get more involved with the athletic department, and this is where they decided was best for me.

Tyler Kenney, 21, leads members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. Antourage is the UC Irvine student spirit group which faithfully cheers on the UC Irvine men's basketball team. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of he UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, cheer for their team during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. Antourage, whose name is a spin-off of the school's nickname, KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of he UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, make the Anteater sign with their hands during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Sam Fraser, 20, left, and Mathew Gima, 21, cheer with the rest of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, dance during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Kian Khoddam, 23, cheers with other members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Tan Nguyen, 22, leads members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, through a cheer during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, watch themselves on the scoreboard screen during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, cheer for their team during a basketball game at the Bren Events Center. The Princeton Review recently named UCI among the "Best Value Colleges" for 2013. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
The UC Irvine band and cheerleaders taunt UC Santa Barbara's Sam Beeler, far left, as he shoots a free throw during a recent basketball game at UC Irvine. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Peter the Anteater makes an appearance during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at UC Irvine. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
UC Irvine cheerleaders dance during a recent basketball game against UC Santa Barbara at UC Irvine. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER
Kaity Tallarico, 20, left, and Chloe Strasser, 21, cheer with other members of the UC Irvine student cheering section, known as Antourage, during a recent basketball game between UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara at the Bren Events Center. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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